Summit Business Cited For Failing To Disclose Information On Halal Food: AG

SUMMIT, NJ — A Summit business was among several to be cited with a violation for allegedly failing to properly disclose practices relating to the preparation, handling and sale of food sold or served as halal by the Division of Consumer Affairs.

In preparation of the monthlong Ramadan religious observation, the Halal Enforcement Unit within the Division’s Office of Consumer Protection inspected a total of 110 establishments from Passaic to Camden counties. Of those, 15 businesses, including Negeen Persian Grill in Summit, were cited. Each Notice of Violation carries a $500 civil penalty, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced.

Businesses are required to post this information according to the state’s Halal Food Consumer Protection Act (“HFCPA”) and the Halal Food Regulations. The use of halal foods is especially important to Muslim's celebrating Ramadan, which begins on Friday, May 26.

Among the state laws pertaining to the sale of halal food, dealers must prominently display disclosure statements providing important information about the foods they prepare and market as halal, such as whether it contains pork products or alcohol, and whether it was prepared using the same or separate cutting boards, refrigerators and more used for non-halal foods.

These and other practices are permitted under state law, as long as the business accurately provides the information in a disclosure statement readily visible to consumers. The business must also provide the same information to the Division of Consumer Affairs.

“Consumers shopping for halal foods, especially during Ramadan, must be able to trust that the foods they buy meet their personal standards and interpretation of Islamic dietary guidelines,” said Attorney General Porrino. “By inspecting halal food establishments in the weeks before this important Muslim holiday, we are reminding vendors of their legal obligation to fully disclose the information shoppers need to buy with confidence.”

The businesses cited are:

• Indian Villa in Cherry Hill
• Amin’s Chinese Halal Restaurant in Jersey City
• Red Chutney in Iselin
• Sahara Restaurant Bakery in New Brunswick
• Mirichi Indian Homestyle Cuisine in North Brunswick
• Al Hilal Meat & Fish Market in Paterson
• Al-Kumah Restaurant & Halal Meat in Paterson
• Banglatown Supermarket in Paterson
• Paradise Halal Meat (two stores) in Paterson
• Star Halal Meat in Paterson
• Negeen Persian Grill in Summit
• Café Colore Italiano in Monmouth Junction
• Pasha USA in Bayonne

Consumers, businesses, religious organizations or halal certifying agencies seeking additional information about the Division’s halal food enforcement can call 973-792-4217.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.